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A Concerted Effort

by David T. Simmons  
1/26/2009 / Church Life

The ultimate purpose of every local church is to manifest Jesus in the earth. Jesus is and always should be the central figure in all that we do. The world does not need to see us. We apart from Christ have nothing to offer the world, but with Christ we are capable of offering a sick, suffering and sin-filled world redemption, life and liberty.


The problem is that in so many of our local churches there are people that are self-absorbed. When you are self absorbed you place all of your attention and energies on you. It's about what you want what you need, or what's convenient for you.


This will manifest itself in many ways. It produces a lack of commitment to the things of God. Because it's all about you, you will not be found doing the Lord's will, because you are busy doing what's important to you. It will also be manifested in perverting the Lord's work. In other words you use the Name of the Lord, and the gifts of the Lord to promote you. This is seen primarily among leaders. They are on a mission to exalt self and enrich self and Jesus' Name and Power are only accessories. How often you hear more about the man or woman than you do about the Savior?


Also, when your pastor has received a vision from the Lord and he/she brings it before the people for it to be implemented, it dies before it even begins. This occurs because there are a bunch of INDIVIDUALS with individual agenda's. They don't complete assigned tasks, they treat the things of God as an option instead of a mandate, they get caught up in petty disputes, and they disappear in mid-stream, and then suddenly appear weeks later as though nothing ever happened or they always have an excuse for why they couldn't participate. They are not team players; they don't have a team spirit.


These are people who think that the Kingdom of God revolves around them. They haven't really given Christ their all because that's simply asking for too much. They are the stars using the light of the cross as their spotlight. I've always said that the world always shows the Church how to worship, how to devote themselves to a cause, and how to function as a team.


Let's consider Patti Labelle. She is a world renown recording artist and entertainer. She has won awards for her talent and has established herself as an icon in the world of music. She has crossed racial barriers and has a fan base comprised of males and females, young and old, wealthy and not so wealthy. She is known also for her sold out concerts where all tickets are purchased in a matter of minutes just on the strength of her name alone.


Speaking of her concerts, many things take place before, during and after a Patti Labelle concert that are often missed by the public. Just consider that for one hour onstage this is what is required.


The Manager - Who manages everything pertaining to the artist

The Publicist - Whose duty is to keep the artist in public view

The Road Manager - Who deals with everything pertaining to the artist when she's moving from one venue to the next

The Roadies- Who handle all equipment that will be needed for the concert. They carry it to the venue, set it up, take it down and carry it out

The Soundman - Responsible for maintaining proper sound levels

The Lighting Crew - Responsible for lights which sets the artist in a proper light, always creating the proper environment

Makeup and Hair - Who ensures the artist looks her best

Wardrobe - Responsible for maintenance of artist' wardrobe

Musicians - To provide musical background for the artist

Background singers - to provide background vocals for the artist

Security - To provide protection for the artist

Driver - Responsible for delivering the artist to and from the venue


Of course there are more involved but these are the key people involved when Ms. Labelle is in concert mode. As it can be seen, these are key roles that involve nothing less than the best from each of the Participants in order for the people who are paying the required ticket price to be entertained by Ms Labelle.


What must be noted however is that all parties involved work for Ms. Labelle, which means she is in a position of authority and power, rightly so seeing that its her name, her voice, her image, her talent, her abilities. She is the star, the central figure.


If only every member of a local church would realize that they are members, not as in a health club but as in BODY PART, who are to be connected to another body part to form ONE PERFECT BODY, that each member endowed with an ability that is to be combined with the other members with their abilities for the purpose of showcasing Jesus and letting Him be the headliner, we would be capable of doing some tremendous things.


Stop being self-centered, stop thinking Christ is your servant instead of the other way around. Stop being uncooperative, stop giving Jesus sloppy seconds, stop exalting yourself above your co-laborers stop your disappearing acts and reappearing when you need something from God, Stop making excuses stop trying to justify your ungrateful behavior.


Remember, He died to save you, His Name is putting food in your icebox clothes on your back and health to your body. His Name pays your bills and keeps you protected. And not because you are good, it's because He is good.


It's a concerted effort that requires your commitment, participation, and ability, Put Jesus back on center stage!

David T. Simmons is the senior pastor of Ambassador Pentecostal Churches In Christ Intl. and the founder of Living in The Word Ministries, a dynamic multimedia teaching ministry. You can contact him at [email protected].

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